Page 80 of Best Part of Me

“Missed you too. I’m just really busy.”

“Yeah, so you said.” He slaps me on the back and chugs his coffee as he moves to the windowsill and sits down. “Let’s go out tonight. I need to blow off some steam after helping my dad in the store the past two weekends.”

I tread lightly with my next question. “So does that mean Camille is back?”

He nods. “Yep. I guess she got home two nights ago. I think the same day as you.”

My gut tightens, and I’m instantly nauseous. He knows.

“I don’t think running away was a good idea.”

“No?” I choke out the question.

His eyes flick out the window. “She helped in the store all day yesterday and barely said two words to Dad, I guess. Wasn’t even talkative with the regular customers.” He turns his attention back to me. “You know how fucking chatty and annoying she is. She’s just not herself.”

I bypass agreeing with him. What I wouldn’t give to hear her voice now.

“Give her some time. She’ll be her normal chatterbox self soon.” I can’t help but be a little relieved she hasn’t bounced back yet. Knowing we’re both struggling and grieving helps my heart some. Even if only a small amount.

Jones stands up and finishes his coffee. “With her back, I have my weekends freed up again. So, let’s go out.”

Going out is the very last thing I want to do right now. Being surrounded by a crowd, loud music, women—my heart raps against my ribs with the mere thought. But moping around isn’t typical for me. Especially when it comes to a bruised ego. Though, I’ve never had to console a bruised heart.

Unsure what the medicine is for that, I agree, if only for the sake of Jones and our friendship. This is the thing Camille and I were preserving when we made the decision to part ways after the ten days.

“Fuck it, why not?”

“Hell yes.” Jones pumps a fist in the air. He strides into the kitchen and sets his empty mug in the sink. “The Pines?”

At the mention of The Pines my heart stalls. It’s the bar closest to Camille’s dad’s house and the one we all frequent the most. The possibility of her being there has my senses heightened. But if she’s as bad off as Jones says, she won’t feel up to going out.

“Sure. Text me when you’re headed there.”

Jones waves and closes the door on his way out.

I place my hands on my hips and puff up my cheeks before harshly blowing out a breath. I spin around and look at my coffee table surrounded by my work. Since Jones forced me awake earlier than I’d planned on after staying up till almost 3:00 a.m., I might as well get back to work.

* * *

By the timeI get Jones’s text, I’m already dressed and in an Uber on my way to the bar. My knee jiggles, and I fiddle with the sleeves of my black fitted sweater. I’m an fucking idiot. Because the one thing I’m hoping for would be disastrous. But I can’t stop myself from hoping anyway.

I need to see Camille. I’m desperate for it. To speak to her. To touch her. As bad as it is, I can’t help it. She is my kryptonite, and I am Superman. I am a drug addict, and she is my preferred drug.

The Uber drops me off in front of The Pines. I step onto the curb and into a crowd of women dressed in skimpy dresses despite the chill in the air. One is wearing aBridesash. It’s obvious by their loud and sloppy demeanor this isn’t their first stop tonight.

One catcalls me. Fuck. I can empathize with women who have to put up with this shitty behavior from men. I ignore them and head inside the bar.

Just as expected, it’s crowded and loud. Live music streams from the old speakers where a small band plays on a modest stage. The lighting is darker than I remember. Jones is standing at a bar-height table talking up a striking brunette. We make eye contact through the crowd, and I arch a brow before I approach. He nods, signaling it’s all clear to join them.

The brunette saunters off before I even arrive at the table.

“You didn’t need to ask her to leave on my account,” I tease.

He slides a beer in my direction. “I didn’t. She’s with people.”

I nod my thanks and take a swig of the ice-cold ale.

“How’s your work coming along? Almost finished?”

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